THE EFFECT OF FEEDING IMMATURE KAROO PARALYSIS TICKS IXODES-RUBICUNDUS (ACARI, IXODIDAE) ON THE METABOLIC-RATE OF THE ROCK ELEPHANT SHREW

The effect of feeding immature Karoo paralysis ticks (Ixodes rubicundu s) on the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of their principal natural host , the rock elephant shrew (Elephantulus myurus), was investigated unde r laboratory conditions. The elephant shrews were artificially infeste d with numbers of ticks simulating natural burdens. The RMR of the ele phant shrews was quantified by measuring the oxygen consumption in an open through-flow system. The RMR of hosts infested only with larvae d id not differ from that of the control group. Those infested with nymp hs, or nymphs and larvae, had significantly lower RMR's compared to th e control animals. There were no signs of paralysis in any of the infe sted hosts.